Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to December 28, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the humble beginnings of some of our favorite pastimes.

When you watch the Academy Awards, are you tempted to go grab some popcorn as they announce the winners in the Short Film category? Then perhaps you'll be interested to know that we owe a huge thanks to a short film called “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory,” which made its debut in 1895 at the Grand Cafe in Paris. The movie was only a few minutes long and showed workers going home at the end of their shift. The 33 people in the audience that day became the first ever to view a motion picture in a theater and right then and there, our fascination for the movies was born. On National Short Film Day, we celebrate this one small clip and the giant leap forward for the movie making industry.

A standard pack of cards may be used for playing a variety of games, some of which are played for money. It’s said that the game of poker, which originated in Louisiana, is a derivative of the game of dominos which dates back a few thousand years. What’s common to both games is the art of bluffing. Even the best poker players in the world only have a 5 percent advantage over other players and thus bluffing is what makes the game more interesting. The earliest games like Texas Hold’em were played for gold nuggets and while it's hard to calculate the winnings of those hands, the most lucrative tournament in modern times was won by Antonio Esfandari who took home a record $18.35 million. On National Card Playing Day you may wanna bone up on the skill of bluffing.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 27, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate being nutty as a fruitcake and starting something new.

The holiday cheer may be fading fast but one treat is still alive and celebrating: the fruitcake. That’s because they are built to last. In the early 1700s these dense cakes were baked during harvest time and loaded with nuts and fruits. But they were saved until the following year to ensure the next season’s bounty. Fruitcakes also had quite a reputation for being sinfully rich. Queen Victoria was said to have waited a whole year after receiving one for her birthday before eating it, just to show proper restraint and dignity. But if your fruitcake has become a holiday joke, that gets re-gifted only to get tossed, perhaps you haven’t tasted a truly delicious one. On National Fruitcake Day, make a pledge to find a good recipe for next year.

Marlo: While this month is nearly gone, it’s never too late to start something new. In case you didn’t know it, Anna it’s Learn a Foreign Language Month.

Anna: How are you going to learn a new language in only four days, Marlo?

Marlo: I didn’t say I was going for fluency. Just starting a new habit is what matters.

John: Tim Ferriss, the entrepreneur actually has a blog post about how if you learn the 100 most used words in any language you can achieve functional fluency very quickly.

Anna: I think I could do that!

Marlo: I could do that too.

Anna: You've got three days. Go!

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 26th, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the flavor of the season and etiquette for everyone.

Peppermint sticks have been around for at least 200 years, but the red and white striped candy cane that we all associate with Christmas did not actually appear until 1900. Many folklore tales describe the symbolism behind this iconic treat which was made by hand until 1921. That’s when Brasher O. Westerfield invented a machine that turned out the 5” peppermint canes. And that’s a good thing as these days we produce more than a billion every year. Today you can find candy canes in almost any flavor, though peppermint is still the perennial favorite. On National Candy Cane Day, we invite you to savor the flavor of the season.

One day in 1934, Henry Ford opened his mail and got a big surprise, a thank you note from one of America’s most infamous bank robbers. Clyde Barrow wrote to thank Ford for putting out such a quality car. Or as he put it, “For sustained speed and freedom from trouble, the Ford has got every other car beat… It don’t hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8.” Today is a good day to surprise your family and friends with letters of your own. Thank them for their holiday gifts or their general love and support. And since handwritten messages are becoming a lost art, surprise them even more by putting pen to paper. On National Thank You Note Day, show people that you care enough to go the extra mile to acknowledge their generosity.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 25, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the windy road of Christmas and the most punderful time of the year.

While Christmas enjoys popularity throughout the world today, its traditions have fluctuated widely. In medieval times, the birth of Jesus Christ was a solemn observance with very little feasting or singing. The Renaissance gave rise to the gift giving, decorating and caroling we enjoy today. The traditions of tree trimming and mistletoe came from the ancient celebration of Yule, which was adopted into Roman customs along with Christianity. For this reason, early puritans banned Christmas for nearly 20 years in America. The true spirit of this holiday is alive today because of our universal love for celebration. No matter how you keep this tradition, today we wish all you a very merry Christmas.

Marlo: It’s also A’phabet Day!

Anna: You mean “Alphabet”.

Marlo: No. A’phabet. It’s the word “alphabet,” but with no L. Get it? Noel. Like Christmas.

Anna: That’s right it’s bad pun day isn’t it? I remember this from last year.

Marlo: Yep. Today, while you’re enjoying the festivities, see how many puns you can slip into conversations.

Anna: I wish I could just enjoy the day without puns.

Marlo: Is that why you have resting Grinch Face?

Anna: Hey!

Marlo: Yule be sorry if you don’t attend my Christmas party this year.

Anna: You’re being a jerk, Marlo.

Marlo: It takes one to snow one.

Anna: But wait there’s myrrh.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 24, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate clearing up the mystery behind two holiday favorites.

You may be scratching your head as to how eggnog its name and which came first, the egg or the nog? It turns out that alcohol was once served in carved wooden mugs called noggins. In the middle ages a drink known as posset was made with milk, spices, and alcohol and served as a cold remedy. From there the trail gets foggy with some adding eggs to the recipe and others calling it egg flip for the way it got poured between two pitchers. Because rum was known as grog here in the States, one bartender dubbed it “egg and grog.” Confusing, we know, but one thing is sure, National Eggnog Day celebrates the delicious flavor that’s been a holiday favorite much longer than pumpkin spice.

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house… You know the rest. Most of us do. Clement Moore’s classic poem is one of the best-known literary works in American history. When he wrote it in 1822, he used the title “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” He shared the story with a friend who liked it so much that they sent it to a newspaper for publication, without Moore’s permission, and without his name attached. The poem became a huge success, though no one knew Moore had written it. He was reluctant to claim the piece until his children urged him to do so, and in 1844 he finally included it in a book of poetry. On Christmas Eve, we celebrate with a quote from Moore’s poem: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 23, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a festivus for the rest of us and festive recycling.

Reader’s Digest author Daniel O’Keefe created a new holiday tradition of “Airing Family Grievances” that was first celebrated in 1966. Today we celebrate this “Festivus for the rest of us,” largely due to the popularity of a Seinfeld episode that was written by O’Keefe’s son. The tv version takes family tension to comedy extremes. Characters roast each other at the dinner table and wrestle around an aluminum pole to display their “feats of strength.” What makes this bit of pop culture so delicious is that it’s all too familiar. No matter how you celebrate the holidays you’re sure to reach the point of screeching “SERENITY NOW!” Ironically Festivus is celebrated on December 23rd in honor of Daniel O’Keefe’s first date with his future wife, which is a kismet miracle in itself.

It’s the time of year to get presents you don’t want from friends and relatives. Everyone’s been there. Opening a gift in front of your grandmother and having to pretend you love it…Meh. But you could always just re-gift, right? While it’s not considered polite, thousands of people pass along their unloved presents each year. So what’s the proper etiquette in this situation? According to Emily Post, there’s really only one “polite” way to re-gift. If you get two of the same gift, you can pass it along to a friend. But that seems boring. Celebrate National Re-Gifting Day by giving a friend a gift that someone else gave to you and think of it as the ultimate in recycling.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 22, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate a dynamic duo and a happy retirement for the old jalopy.

If you’re already burnt out on holiday goodies why not try something healthy and delicious by celebrating National Date Nut Bread Day? Dates have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, and are prized for their sticky, caramel sweetness. But they also provide protein, fiber and minerals. Nuts add a super-charged nutritional crunch and this combination has been used in quick bread recipes since the first one appeared in 1939. Back then it was served as a tea time treat but today this dynamic duo practically passes for health food! On National Date Nut Bread Day, celebrate a warm from the oven goodie with cream cheese frosting and kick the fruitcake to the curb.

More charitable donations are made in December than in any other month. Yes, it’s probably because people need a tax deduction, but it also comes at a time of the year when some folks need help the most. Even if money is tight, you can still make a difference by donating an old or unused vehicle during National Car Donation Month. The car doesn’t even have to run and the charities make it as simple as possible for you to donate. And if you don’t have a car to give away, you can still help to raise awareness of this charitable act. Spread the word on Social Media. And if your neighbor still doesn’t take the hint, you can etch “Donate Me” in the dirt on the windshield of his old jalopy.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 21, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate vacation sweet spots and turning your holiday frown upside down.

If you want to catch the sunrise before anyone else in the United States, pack your bags and head to Maine. Specifically the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. This building was constructed in 1858 and is at the easternmost point of the country. That means it sees the first rays of the sun each day. And it’s hard to miss, even though Maine is home to more than 60 lighthouses. The West Quoddy Head lighthouse is white with big red stripes, looking like a gigantic candy cane that guides ships into port. It’s a pretty sweet spot to check out if you ever visit the state they call Vacationland USA. On National Maine Day, celebrate the people and culture of the Pine Tree State.

The word humbug dates back to the 1750s when it was used to describe anything false or deceptive. Charles Dickens assigned this phrase to Ebenezer Scrooge, who scoffed at anyone who would find good cheer in a world full of poverty and misery. While it took some ghostly visitations to turn Scrooge around, perhaps it’s wise to take stock of our own frustrations. It’s okay to admit that the holiday season is stressful. If the hustle and bustle is filling you with humbug it’s probably best to make time for yourself. And if that’s not enough, try ditching all the stuff that makes you crabby and focus on what brings you joy! On Humbug Day, celebrate your own transformation into all things bright and beautiful.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 20, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate festive drinks and songs that stick.

If you’re a fan of sangria then you already know how festive this drink can be. Pour some red or white wine into a pitcher with fruits and some seasonal spices and you’ll see why the Spanish welcome this libation all year round. It is said that sangria originated in early Greek and Roman times when safe drinking water was not always available. Today true sangria is bottled in Spain and Portugal but every culture seems to make it their own with simple variations. At the 1964 World’s Fair, Americans added an extra shot of brandy. On National Sangria Day, celebrate by adding some warmth and cheer to your wintertime festivities!

In 1939, the department store Montgomery Wards wanted to create their own Christmas character. They had been giving away coloring books as a promotion each year, but decided that designing their own would save money. One of their admen—Robert L. May—was asked to create a character and write a children’s book about it. He was inspired by his daughter’s love for reindeer and had an epiphany while staring out the window at the fog. The Christmas icon he came up with was…Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which was eventually made into a song and the rest is Yuletide history. This tune is one of the most popular Christmas carols to this day. On Go Caroling Day, celebrate your own favorite repertoire of songs and don’t forget the most famous reindeer of all.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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Welcome to December 19, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate gifts that keep on giving and candies that go the distance.

Anna: Hey Marlo, you’re a numbers guy. If someone gave you all the gifts from the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, do you know how many total gifts would you end up with?

Marlo: Y’know, I’ve never even thought of that.

Anna: You would have 364 items in total, which are mostly bird related.

Marlo: Yeah, there’s no re-gifting those.

Anna: The best part would be the 12 pear trees (with partridges, of course). But before you buy someone a pear tree, you’d better check for what variety they prefer because there are a lot! Can you guess how many?

Marlo: Marlo guesses

Anna: Get this…There are 3,000 different kinds of pears in the world. Which is perfect because that means you have plenty to choose from during National Pear Month.

In 1949, Bill and Dorothy Harmsen founded Jolly Rancher in Golden, Colorado. They chose the name because it sounded friendly and had a bit of western flair. It was also a nod to the Jolly Farmer, a drugstore in their hometown of Minneapolis. Originally, the Harmsens sold ice cream, chocolate, and candy, but because ice cream sales plummeted during the winter months, they focused their business on producing hard candies. The first flavors were grape, apple, and fire stix, but their most popular flavor—cherry—didn’t come along till years later. Today, Jolly Rancher produces the most popular hard candy of all time proving that a little perseverance can pay off big! On National Hard Candy Day, savor the long lasting sweetness of a candy that sticks with you.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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